Somewhere An English Teacher Is Smiling

Today's post is completely random, but it still makes me smile.

I am a big believer in reading consumer reviews for products. I typically won't buy something if it has gotten poor reviews. But many times I will buy something if it has lots of positive reviews. (I can usually spot a company spokesperson posing as an average consumer trying to boost ratings too. )

These people, however, have a little too much time on their hands.

Check out the reviews on amazon.com for the basic black BIC ballpoint pen here.

Then check out the reviews for The Mountain Three Wolf Moon Short Sleeve tshirt here.
I did not read all 1700 (!) of the reviews so watch out if you have little people reading them, but the first few are quite funny. I'll said it again -- some people have way too much time on their hands, but at least they paid attention in English and creative writing classes!

Have a great weekend!

Watercolors

Last week at school, Fletcher's class listened to "Claire de lune" by the French composer Claude Debussy. They used watercolor paint to paint "what the music made them feel."

I asked Fletcher to tell me about his picture. He told me this was a picture of Grandma Daphne's house in Tallahassee. Grandma Daphne passed away several months ago. He met her when he was a toddler before she got sick, but of course he doesn't remember that. He does remember going to her funeral and feeling sad, but also feeling happy knowing that she wasn't sick anymore and was in heaven. I didn't remember when he had ever seen her house since she didn't live in Tallahassee anymore. But Fletcher reminded me that when we went down for the funeral, Kevin drove us by her old house where she and Papa Floyd lived when Kevin was a child. Kevin would go visit them there.

TGIF

There's that Johnson & Johnson commercial that says, "Having a baby changes everything."

They are not kidding.

I remember how Kevin and I used to go to dinner on Friday nights after a long work week. Maybe catch a movie. Get a slow start on Saturday.

Not anymore.

This is how we spent last Friday night.


And I wouldn't change it for the world.

Hoops

In Kevin's defense, he didn't know team pictures were that day. He wasn't even really supposed to be the assistant coach. He was "just helping" and suddenly he had a title. The coaches did a great job and the boys had fun. We saw a definite improvement from the first day until now. Remember this? I just wish the season were a tiny bit longer so they could really get the hang of it. I also love the fact that the boys on his team are all smiles with arms around each other because in future years they all try to look tough in their sports pictures.

I did get a little more video footage. I wouldn't say Fletcher is the most agressive player on his team. The little boy on the red team (also #6) is in Fletcher's kindergarten class and they are buddies. I was proud of Fletcher for stopping to see if he was ok when Brady got hit with the ball. But as you can see from the last few seconds of the clip it didn't take long for them to get right back at it. This is basketball, not wrestling, right?

Denied

We were at Fletcher's kindergarten basketball game on Saturday.
Luke is shot down by his first cheerleader - two, actually.
Mom happened to capture it on video.
Props to him for going after the older women.
Might be the first time, but I'm sure it won't be the last.
I'd say he handled himself pretty well....kept his cool....moved on to bigger and better things (like the mini-M&M's in Mom's purse).

Reach For The Stars

Luke's imagination has kicked in.
He will say, "Mommy, I a robot. You say 'Hi Robot' "
So, of course, I dutifully say, "Hi Robot. How are you today?"
Other times, he's a frog or a daddy or a garbage man (he must be taking cues from his big brother - see yesterday's post).

But at times it is hard to keep up with who's who.
Last night I said, "Luke, come in here. It is time for your bath."
He said, "I not Luke. I a robot."
"Robot, come in here it is time for your bath."

Luke has also discovered the joys of our costume trunk.
He sure does make a cute Sheriff Woody.
Speaking of Toy Story, did you know Toy Story 3 comes out this summer? Fun stuff!

Aim High, Son

In the car on the way to meet Kevin at a restaurant.

Somehow, Fletcher and I got on the subject of always doing your best at school. Then that got into the concept of progress reports and report cards. I tried to explain to him what they were and that in kindergarten you get letters like A, O, S, R and N for Almost Always, Often, Sometimes, Rarely and Never. These are for things like his behavior, and his attitude and his ability to listen. But then I explained that when he gets in 1st grade, report cards will be a check up of how he is doing in subjects like reading, math and science. Those grades are A, B, C, D, and F.

From the backseat in a very serious tone....

Wait for it....

You know by now it's coming...

Fletcher says,

"Mom, I am going to work really, really hard and do my very best to get all F's."


( Oh how I love that kid. To his credit, his name does start with F and on most occasions, we think F is a very cool letter. )

Climb Every Mountain

Fletcher went to a birthday party on Saturday at one of those indoor rock climbing places. He was a little unsure about the whole deal. The only time he's tried the rock wall (other than the mini ones at the park) was at our church when he was about 4 years old. He only went up a few feet then got scared and came back down.

Now that he was six years old and older and stronger and much braver, we told him he would probably enjoy rock climbing a whole lot more. Some of the kids at the party had done this before and some hadn't.

He did great going up as you can see from the pictures. But the birthday party workers (girls in their late teens/early 20's) are trained to let the kids go up a few feet then the kids have to come back down to show the worker/belayer they can do that part. This keeps a kid from climbing all the way to the top and getting stuck because he/she doesn't know how to get down.


Unfortunately, Fletcher had some trouble with the descent part. The thought of letting go of the sturdy wall and grabbing on to the not-so-sturdy rope and leaning back was a very difficult concept. As much as I wanted Fletcher to figure it out with the help of the worker (and no intervention from mom), I did have to step in and help coach him down since there were lots of other kids in line patiently waiting their turn. The party had a two hour time limit and I knew Fletcher could be stuck on that wall for a really long time.

After a few tears, he came down. He kept trying too, but never went up very far. I think if Kevin had been there (he was home sick), Fletcher might have had a little more confidence.

He wanted me to take a picture of one of his classmates - a little girl - who had absolutely no problems climbing all the way to the top. Fletcher was very impressed with her abilities.

Part of the birthday goodie bag included a free pass to return to the gym at another time for a free session. Fletcher said he wanted to come back with Mom and Dad and try again.

When we got home, he told Kevin that he didn't do very good and that he cried a little bit. It breaks a mom's heart when you know your child wants to be good at something but they just aren't - yet.

It did give us a great opportunity to talk about faith and how it is easier to hold on to what we can see and what feels secure and much harder to let go and let God be in charge when we can't see Him and trust that He will be there for us if we fall. I don't know if his 6 year old brain completely got the spiritual analogy, but it was a very good reminder for mom! We are going through a book with Fletcher (and Luke when he sits still and listens which is pretty much never) during our night time devotions called Child's Book of Character Building. For several days a different character trait is discussed and applied in the Bible, at home, at school, and at play. We happened to be talking about faith, so this little party was a perfect lesson.

Luke's Version of Snow Day

The conversation:

Mom: Luke, do you see the snow outside?
Luke: Yes, Mommy.
Mom: Luke, do you want to go play in the snow with Mommy and Fletcher?
Luke: No, Mommy.
Mom: Are you sure? It will be fun. We can make a snowman.
Luke: No, Mommy.

So I decided to bring the snow to him. He played here at the sink for at least 45 minutes. He would have played longer, but Fletcher realized what was happening and then they started fighting at the sink. Are my kids the only ones who do this?

Kevin and Fletcher were watching the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics on the incredibly loud TV in the background.

Valentine's Weekend

Our Valentine's weekend started on several interesting notes:

Snow began to fall around 4 pm on Friday afternoon.

Kevin went to the CVS Minute Clinic because he was still not feeling well after several days of a nasty cold that the boys and I had given to him.

Snow kept falling.

The nurse at the clinic was concerned about what she was hearing in his lungs so she recommended that he go to Urgent Care so a doctor could see him.

Snow still falling.

Doc took xrays and listened to his lungs. The xray didn't show it, but the doc said it sounded like pneumonia in his lungs so he wanted to treat it as that.

How did that happen?

Sent him home with heavy duty antibiotics and an inhaler.

The roads were so bad with all the snow it took him forever to get home.

Doc said he should feel better in about three days but that he should get lots of rest.

Guess how hard it is to make him rest?

I played in the snow with Fletcher and some of the neighborhood kids on Saturday morning.

We got about 3-4 inches of snow. The most we've ever gotten here.

Luke had no desire to play outside in the snow. Probably because of this incident caught on video here.

I took Fletcher to his basketball game Saturday. He made two baskets.

Then I took Fletcher to a birthday party on Saturday afternoon.

We stayed home Sunday and watched church on TV.

We were supposed to go to an event featuring Christian writers John and Stasi Eldredge called Love and War on Sunday night for our Valentine's Day date, but we had to cancel.

Thankfully, Kevin has today off for President's Day so that's one more day for him to rest.

I am one tired mommy.

Pictures and videos to follow later this week.

Another Open Letter

In the summer of 1985 I had one of my first real jobs as a Whopper Flopper at Burger King. Much to my parents disappointment, I spent my entire first paycheck (minus my tithe) on a pair of Guess jeans with the zippers at the ankles. I think they cost $50. My parents were certainly not going to buy those for me at that ridiculous price. They thought I was foolish to buy them. But those jeans and I had some good times in high school. I just knew I looked so hot in them. Did I mention I barely weighed 100 pounds sopping wet in high school so "hot" was probably not the first word that came to most people's minds when they saw me. "Stick"? Yes. "Hot"? No.

Fast forward 25 years.

Dear GAP,

I realize everyone loves you. I realize you appeal to kids and teenagers and soccer moms who still want to be teenagers. People have been wearing your G A P letters on shirts and hats for years now.

But seriously? Do you really think I would pay $79.50 for jeans with holes in them? I know there was a time I paid $50 for jeans with zippers but I was young and foolish. Holes? Already in the jeans? Before I've even worn them? I think not.

Sure, you try to call them fancy names like "destructed"*...

...and "Patch and Repair"*...

and even "patch jeans"*.

But I'm not buying it. And for $79.50, I'm wondering if you actually want to sell jeans or just watch them sit on your shelves.

You know, sometimes, even with all its big hair, cheesy music and even cheesier movies, I miss the preppy 80's. At least my Guess jeans with zippers at the ankles were classy. Especially when paired with an oversized oxford shirt and big belt.

So GAP, fire your fashion consultants and get rid of the holey jeans. They just aren't working for you or 99.9% of the rest of the people that shop at your store.

Thank you for your time.

*These are real pictures from GAP's current new line of jeans for women.

Madeline

Fletcher and his classmates are still studying about France this week. They've read several of the Madeline books. Remember those? The little girls who live in an orphanage? In the original book, Madeline has to get her appendix taken out so in honor of that story, the kids talked about various body parts and made body "aprons". They also talked about germs and keeping their bodies healthy.

The straws are to fill his lungs (plastic bags) with air. The paper towel roll is his esophagus and the bag at the end (with the smashed crackers and whole almonds) is his stomach.

I think he might be having some lung issues since they wouldn't inflate. His intestines are drawn on there and he informed me that they would stretch really, really far if we took them out of his body and straightened them out.

My favorite is his spine (egg carton).

The circles are good cells and bad cells fighting each other.

Thankfully, we still have a few years before they get into the reproductive organs.

Awwww!!!

Our "home office" is in the front of our house so when I am sitting at the computer and the shutters are open, I can see our street and our neighbors houses across from us.

Yesterday afternoon I noticed a car pull up and park in between my neighbors' houses. We all try to keep an eye out for each other around here so I watched to see who this person was and what he was doing. I looked out again and there was a single red rose on the ground by his car.

Of course, now I am really curious so I get up to get a better look. A teenage boy was in the middle of the street and had written "P R O M ? ?" in chalk in large letters in front of my neighbor's house -- my neighbor with a teenaged cheerleader daughter. My neighbor - the former NYPD officer. Must be a teeny bit scary for this young boy (who was having trouble keeping his pants up). Because I am completely nosey and because both boys were in their rooms resting, I kept watching to see what would happen. He took the rose and his cell phone to the front porch and proceeded to call and/or text her while he was hiding next to the front door. They have a dog and the dog must have been going nuts because Dad came to the door and saw chalk boy. Dad was smiling so he must like chalk boy. Teenaged girl took forever. She must have put on makeup or straightened her hair or something. But I kept waiting and watching. I am wondering if this is a boyfriend or a kid going out on a limb to ask the cute girl to prom. Will she say yes? Will it be awkward? Will she accept the rose? What if she says no? This is better than reality tv!

She finally comes out, sees the chalk invitation, then sees chalk boy with the rose. They hug and she accepts the rose. They hug again and maybe even kiss.

I am such a sucker for a romantic gesture like that. I really wanted to get a picture, but chalk boy wouldn't leave and it was getting dark. I just knew if I went outside with my camera, they would come out and see me. Then I'd be known as "creepy weird neighbor lady."

Then Kevin called and I told him the story. He gave me the brilliant idea to go upstairs and take a picture from our upstairs window because that's not creepy at all. I'd like to show you the pictures now, but they didn't come out. This was a rainy overcast day, and the camera was focusing on everything but the chalk.

I need to get a life.

Good To Know

This is taken directly from the IRS Publication 17 "Your Federal Income Tax for Individuals"

Please note -- third column, paragraph after "Prizes" and before "Transporting School Children".

Those people at the IRS --- they think of everything.

The entire document is on the IRS website here. This little gem is on page 95.

That is all.

WHO DAT?

Saints win!

I have to admit I haven't been one of those die hard Saints fans even though I grew up in Louisiana. But I do remember the days when fans went around with brown paper bags on their heads because they were so embarassed about their team.

I have tons of family and friends who are HUGE Saints fans so it has been fun watching all of their excitment leading up to this big day.

Those French Have a Word For Everything

Fletcher is learning about France this week at school. He came home Tuesday saying, "Bon jour."

Tonight when I was making dinner...

Fletcher: Bon appetit, Mom
Mom: Bon appetit
Fletcher: Bon appetit, Dad
Dad: Bon appetit
Fletcher: We're studying France this week at school.
Mom: Do you know what Bon Appetit means?
Fletcher: I think it means 'yummy'

Private education. Worth every penny.

Left Behind

Like many people, I've watched the events in Haiti unfold since the earthquake.

There is so much sadness and devastation to a country that was already poor and broken.

One glimmer of hope in all of this is that some families who have been trying for years to complete their adoptions of Haitian orphans are finally getting to bring their children home. Their stories and reunions bring me to tears.

But one little boy was left behind. His name is Ronel. He is probably about 9 years old. He was all set to leave along with the other children from his orphanage, but he was not allowed on the plane. He was missing a piece of paperwork. His adoptive American father left his adoptive mother, newborn baby and other two children and flew to Haiti to get him. They still won't let them leave. Politics. Red tape. Who knows. But it breaks my heart. They've been "living" on the concrete floor of the Embassy for 8 long nights. Pictures of that are here.

Here is his story and his picture. God knows his name. God knows his story. God knows how to get him home to his forever family.

We read the story of Naaman tonight during our Bible time in 2 Kings 5. Naaman was an important man (captain of an army), but was sick with leprosy and wanted to be healed. His servant girl told him that Elisha, God's prophet, could heal him. He was told to go wash in the Jordan River seven times. The stinky, muddy, not-so-nice Jordan River. The one far less superior to the nicer rivers in town.

His response?
But Naaman went away angry and said, "I thought that he [ Elisha] would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy. "

Eventually, Naaman does go and wash and is healed.

So what does Naaman have to do with the story of Ronel?

Well, I think any time I'm faced with a difficult situation, I act alot like Naaman. I already know in my head how I want God to work things out before I even pray about it. Then I get angry and frustrated when He doesn't do what I think makes the most sense or is the least complicated or is what I think is best. I want God to "wave his hand over the spot" and fix whatever is wrong.

In my mind, first class jet service, no waiting, no red tape would make the most sense for this little boy who has suffered so much already. Not more heartache, more waiting, more "No" answers. But on the dirty floor of that Embassy, God is writing his story. Not me. God sees the whole picture. Not me. The waiting turns into trusting and the trusting turns into a deep faith in a God who sometimes asks us to go through the hard stuff.

Updated to add: Looks like they have secured a flight home. God is good.

I Can Take A Hint

One son takes a few bites of the meal I prepared and then promptly throws up at the table. The other son bursts into tears at the thought of having to eat the dinner I made.

Well alrighty then.

Doppelganger

I write this blog so family and friends far away can watch our boys grow up. I also write so that our boys can look back and remember their childhood. Sometimes I write random things that I happen to be thinking about. So most things are from my perspective which means Kevin gets left out sometimes.

So I'm trying to remedy that.

I wrote about my supposed "celebrity look alikes" (also known as doppelgangers) last week. Then I realized Fletcher and Luke might read that someday and think, "Hmm. I wonder who Dad looked like?"

So now it is Kevin's turn.

Ready?

Can you guess?

Matt Damon. But not Matt Damon in just any of his movies. Matt Damon in some of his earlier stuff and especially in Saving Private Ryan. There's something about his voice and the military short haircut.

See?

Now you know.

Snow Day 2010

Getting ready. Luke reminds me of the little brother in The Christmas Story movie ("you'll shoot your eye out"). Both of their snowsuits are a little big, but we'll get a few years wear out of them, I hope.

I have a nasty cold so I didn't go outside for long. Just long enough to snap a few pictures and get this video.

Apparently, this was more like "Ice Day" than "Snow Day."

You think we would have learned from last year's Snow Day.
Luke wanted to come inside and wouldn't go back out until Kevin finally convinced him that the big kids were outside playing. So we put everything back on and he played in the snow for awhile. No more sledding though. I think we've scarred him for life.